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A TALE OF A TUB.
Hilts. He must!
Tub. But that which most tormenteth me is this,
That justice Bramble hath got hence my Awdrey.
That justice Bramble hath got hence my Awdrey.
Hilts. How! how! stand by a little, sirrah, you
[Draws his sword.]With the badge on your breast.
Let's know, sir, what you are.
[Draws his sword.]With the badge on your breast.
Let's know, sir, what you are.
Met. I am, sir, pray you do not look so terribly
A pursuivant.
A pursuivant.
Hilts. A pursuivant! your name, sir?
Met. My name, sir———
Hilts. What is't? speak.
Met. Miles Metaphor;
And justice Preamble's clerk.
And justice Preamble's clerk.
Tub. What says he?
Hilts. Pray you,
Let us alone. You are a pursuivant?
Let us alone. You are a pursuivant?
Met. No, faith, sir, would I might never stir from you,
I is made a pursuivant against my will.
I is made a pursuivant against my will.
Hilts. Ha! and who made you one? tell true,
or my will
Shall make you nothing instantly.
or my will
Shall make you nothing instantly.
Met. [kneels.] Put up
Your frightful blade, and your dead-doing look,
And I shall tell you all.
Your frightful blade, and your dead-doing look,
And I shall tell you all.
Hilts. Speak then the truth,
And the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
And the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
Met. My master, justice Bramble, hearing your master,
The 'squire Tub, was coming on this way,
With mistress Awdrey, the high constable's daughter,
Made me a pursuivant, and gave me warrant
To arrest him; so that he might get the lady,
With whom he is gone to Pancridge, to the vicar,
The 'squire Tub, was coming on this way,
With mistress Awdrey, the high constable's daughter,
Made me a pursuivant, and gave me warrant
To arrest him; so that he might get the lady,
With whom he is gone to Pancridge, to the vicar,
